Physics of Hurdling

When jumping over a hurdle in a race, many factors determine the faster runner. Obviously, taller people have an easier time with this but what is the reason for this? When a shorter person has to jump over a hurdle and literally jump to clear the hurdle a large time is spent in the air. This is wasted time that taller folks don't necessarily have worry about. When a person with longer legs clears a hurdle, they don;t actually jump. They merely open up their legs to clear the hurdle while their upper body remains in the same position with respect to the ground in the Y direction. This is a major advantage because when smaller people have to jump over the hurdle, they take a parabolic path that adds small amounts of time every hurdle they go over a hurdle.

Create an account

Sign in

Terms of Use

The pages of APlusPhysics.com, Physics in Action podcasts, and other online media at this site are made available as a service to physics students, instructors, and others. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Teachers who wish to use materials either in a classroom demonstration format or as part of an interactive activity/lesson are granted permission (and encouraged) to do so. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

Copyright Notice

APlusPhysics.com, Silly Beagle Productions and Physics In Action materials are copyright protected and the author restricts their use to online usage through a live internet connection. Any downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) with the exception of Physics In Action podcast episodes is prohibited. The use of images, text and animations in other projects (including non-profit endeavors) is also prohibited. Requests for permission to use such material on other projects may be submitted in writing to info@aplusphysics.com. Licensing of the content of APlusPhysics.com for other uses may be considered in the future.